Spack earns Outstanding Wrestler honors, looks to continue winning ways at

by Dan Walk

Posted on March 1, 2010

Monday, 01 March 2010

Punxsy sophomore Seth Spack (right) celebrates his 4-3 victory over the DuBois senior T.J. Stanton (left), the 112-pound favorite, to claim his first District IX Class AAA Championship Saturday in Clarion. (Photo by Dan Walk/The Punxsutawney Spirit)


CLARION — One year ago, Punxsy's Seth Spack was a bright-eyed freshman who didn't look like the strongest grappler at 103 pounds, but was technically-sound and had enough grit to nearly earn a berth in the state wrestling tournament.
But even with such success at regionals last season, he entered Saturday's District IX Class AAA Championships as a sophomore facing the same road block that denied him a district title in 2009: DuBois senior T.J. Stanton.

Stanton, a much stronger and more experienced wrestler, grew into the 112-pound weight class this year just like Spack. Except unlike last year, Spack wasn't going to let anyone stand in his way of topping the podium Saturday at Clarion University's Tippin Gymnasium.

Spack controlled the 112-pound final against Stanton with a crucial first-period takedown and led 3-1 in the third period. After Stanton tied the match with a late takedown, Spack's escape was the winning point that completed a shocking upset that not only provided the Punxsy sophomore with his first district championship, but something much more impressive: The distinction of being selected the District IX Class AAA Outstanding Wrestler.

Spack, who isn't the kind of kid that wears his emotions on his sleeve, was jubilant as the third-period buzzer sounded, pumping his fist multiple times. The win was something not many outside of Punxsy's camp thought was possible, making it all the more impressive.

"It's unbelievable. It's probably my favorite thing ever. Just the win, the way it happened, against the kid I beat," Spack said. "I was just in a pumped-up moment. My blood was pumping. I had to give out a few fist pumps. I was really happy."

All throughout Spack's career leading up to last March, Punxsy coaches said he had the talent and wrestling intelligence to be great. But he never had much confidence in himself.

After a second-place finish in last year's Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling tournament — which came a few weeks after he was eliminated in the Northwest Regional Class AAA tournament — that confidence issue changed. Spack's PJW success sparked a desire to get even better, and after the way he competed Saturday, he's well on his way to his goals of reaching states and even placing this season.

Once a football and baseball player in addition to wrestling, Spack put all of his athletic concentration into wrestling, as he joined teammate Kody Young and coach Buddy Young on the Ragin' Raisins, a team that competes in national tournaments during the off-season.

"I think all the wrestling he did this summer went a long way," Punxsy head coach Eric Eddy said. "I think that Seth just improved his game. Everything came together for him. The things we had been working on started to work on the mat, and he's just been a more active wrestler."

Spack was active during a 5-3 loss to Stanton Feb. 18 — a defeat that bumped him to 0-3 against Stanton — but Spack's 3-0 first-round deficit played right into Stanton's hands during that bout. Saturday, Spack was the aggressor, hooking Stanton's leg on a shot by Stanton that led to a first-round takedown.

"That was very big, and right at the end of the period, too," Spack said. "That's exactly what I needed because he's very good on his feet. He doesn't let a lot of takedowns because he's a strong kid."

Stanton scored an escape point to start the second period, but the damage was done, as Spack received a point once Stanton let him up during the third period. Unlike the 3-0 deficit Feb. 18, Spack was up 3-1 on Stanton with fewer than two minutes remaining.

"If you get an early lead on Stanton and weather that middle storm that he's going to come with, then you're in good shape. That's exactly what Seth did," Eddy said. "What we were telling him (Spack) the whole match was that he's (Stanton's) out of his element; he's out of his game because he didn't have that lead."

Stanton, however, wasn't done yet, as he scored a bout-tying takedown with 37 seconds left. But Spack's persistence allowed him to claim the district title-winning escape with 12 seconds left.

"I've learned to stay low and not counter his shots," Spack said. "I felt I could work well on the bottom and get off the bottom. A win would have been nice before, but this is the biggest one."

Though Bradford's Mark Havers, St. Marys' Sean Sadosky and Punxsy's Kody Young were dominant while collecting district championships Saturday, Spack was named the Class AAA Outstanding Wrestler due to his victories over a talented 112-pound weight class. The weight division was so good that Bradford's Jake McMurtrie moved to 119 pounds in order to have a better chance at making the regional tournament.

Before beating Stanton — a four-loss wrestler this season going for his third district title — Spack beat Clearfield's Shane Peters, who also had only four losses this year. Spack's takedown with five seconds left in the first period carried over to a 4-0 decision over Peters, who claimed the final 112-pound regional spot later in the day.

Gone are the days where Spack's talent and intelligence get him far, but don't take him over the edge. Now, he's also mentally-ready to defeat whomever he faces due to an improved mindset.

"It gives me a lot more (confidence) than I had last year as a two seed," said Spack, referring to winning the district title. "I'm going to feel confident that I can win and keep moving forward."

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